Roller cutter reamer



' Feb. 4, 1936. J. GRANT 2,029,770

ROLLER CUTTER REAMER Filed Oct. 26,- 1954- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1167222 ranZ'.

ROLLER CUTTER REAMER Filed Oct. 26, 1934- 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 22916. Fly! w #11; w C I P IizWeIzZar J'okn Grant Patented Feb. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES tenant PAENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

This invention has to do with reamers of the type used in reaming deep wells, and particularly relates to reamers having spindle-mounted cutters, and to the cutter mounting therein. One

5 of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a reamer design and a cutter mounting design in which substantially all the wear is taken upon the cutters and their spindles: and other easily renewable parts, wear upon other parts 10 of the reamer being inhibited. It is also an object, in such design, to provide for easy replacement of the wearing parts.

In prior reamers of the type here under consideration, where the cutters are mounted on 1,3 spindles which in turn are mounted either in holders or carriers or directly in carrier or holder parts of the body, it has been more or less common experience that wear is not confined to the cutters and spindles, but that the holder or 20 carrier, or parts of the body, are also subjected to wear or deformation due to unrestrained rotation of the spindle itself in the holder or body,

. or due to heavy pressures taken by the holder or body from the pin. It is the general object 25 of this invention to do away with such wear or deformation, concentrate all such deterioration on the spindles, and make the cutters and spindies at the same time easily replaceable. How these and other objects of the invention are 3 accomplished will be best understood from the following detailed description of typical and illustrative embodiments of the invention, reference for this purpose being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

35 Fig. 1 is a fragmentary exterior elevation of a reamer embodying the invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are cross sections respectively on lines 2-2, 33 and 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail cross section on line 5-5 of 40 Fig. 1; I

Fig. 6 is a detailed cross section on line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a detail cross section on line l---! of Fig. 1;

spindle movement relative to the blocks.

passage It for passing circulating fluid down to and out through the drill.

The form of reamer here illustrated as a typical embodiment of the invention is one in which the cutters are non-expansively mounted in the, body; and in this particular case the cutter holders or carriers are, in functional effect, parts of the body itself, or non-moving with relation thereto. Thus the cutter holders or carriers in this typical embodiment are illustrated in the 10 form of blocks B which are welded into recesses IS in the body; and the cutters C are located partially within longitudinally extending cutterreceiving recesses 16 in the body. In the particular design here illustrated these elongatey cutter-receiving recesses l6 are formed to extend generally longitudinally of the body but at a slight angle to its axis so that the axis of the cutters may be correspondingly tilted with relation to the body axis. Although there are many 20 types of cutters which are, or may be, carried on spindles and which in operation tend to rotate the spindle, I here show, as illustrative, roller cutters that rotate on the spindles as axes.

At each end of each cutter-receiving recess the block-receiving recess l5 forms in eifect an extension of the cutter-receiving recess. The cross sectional configurations of these block-receiving recesses and of the blocks B are best shown in Fig. l. The blocks B have spindlereceiving bores 20, the bores of each set of blocks being in alinement; and the cutter spindle P fits these bores as snugly as may be consistent with fair ease of pin removal longitudinally through the bores. The spindles preferably fit the bores tightly enough to be somewhat of a forced fit so that to remove or insert a pin it must be forced or driven. For reasons hereinafter more fully spoken of, it is preferred to make the spindles fit the block-bores'just as closely and 40 tightly as may be practically consistent with inserting and removing the spindles without having to use excessive force.-

The spindle, thus tightly fitted in blocks B, is

as nearly as possible, both ends of the spindle absolutely non-rotative' with reference to the spindle-carrying blocks. One of the keys for each spindle is preferably integrated, with the spindle, and the other preferably integrated, with the block. This is done in order to reduce to a minimum the number of 'fits on the keys where possible movement can take place, and thereby correspondingly to reduce the possible also preferably the spindle-integrated key is located at the upper end of the spindle and engages in the upper end of the upper block, while the block-integrated key is located at the lower end of the lower block; this arrangement to make the pin removable by upward movement and thereby minimize the chance of a spindle dropping out of the blocks.

Thus, in the preferred and illustrative construction here being described, the upper block of each set has across its upper surface a keyreceiving slot 25 in which the upper transverse key 26 fits as tightly as may be consistent with fair ease of removal; and this upper key 26 is in effect integrated with the upper end of the spindle by being welded into its upper end. This upper key 26 is illustrated as extending across the center of spindle P. The lower transverse key 26a, as shown more particularly in Fig. '7, is preferably not set in a position across the center of the spindle but in a position more nearly tangential to it, so as to leave a larger continuous end surface at the lower end of the spindle for punch driving or pressing the spindle out of the blocks. Both keys may be located either as shown for the upper key or as shown for the lower key, but I prefer to locate at least the lower key as it is here shown, for the reasons stated. The lower key is welded to the block and passes through the slot or notch 25a in the lower end of the spindle, fitting that slot as tightly as may be consistent with fair ease of removal. Also, preferably, the upper key bottoms in its blockslot at the same time that the slot or notch in the lower end of the spindle bottoms on the lower key.

Finally to prevent any possibility of longitudinal spindle movement, each end of each spindle abuts the head 30a of a screw-threaded stop in 30 which is set in the body in the position and in the manner illustrated best in Figs. 1 and 6, lock washers preferably being provided at 30. The heads of these stop pins are cylindric and preferably are socketed at 30b to take a plug wrench; and either the heads of the stop pins, or the ends of the spindles, may be accurately dimensioned as by grinding so as to make the stop pin heads fit tightly against the ends of the spindles.

In the construction as thus far described, it will be seen that the spindle-carrying blocks are, to all intents and purposes, absolutely immovable relative to each other; in the particular arrangement here being described they are both fixed on the body. Next it will be seen that the spindles are, to all practical purposes and intents, immovable with relation tothose spindle carriers; or at least that the possible movements of the spindles with relation to the carriers are reduced to a minute amount. The spindles are radially substantially immovable in the blocks because of their very close fit in those blocks, and because of the very high elasticity of both blocks and pins. The blocks, being inserted and welded in the body, can be and are preferably made of a very hard metal, and the spindles may also be made of a material which is as hard as is reasonably consistent with the flexing and shearing strength required in them. At any rate, although the spindles may be of relatively softer material, the hard material of the carrier blocks prevents the blocks from being worn by whatever small amount of deformation movement there may be. Wear of the blocks due to loose radial movement of the spindles with relation to the blocks, and due to radial movement of the spindles under lateral pressure tending to deform the spindles and blocks, are both therefore minimized practically to the point of nonexistence.

The spindles are prevented from relative longitudinal movement in the blocks by reason of their tight fits therein, by reason of the tight fits of the keys, and finally by reason of their close endwise confinement between the heads of the stop pins. And, lastly, the spindles are closely held confined against rotary or torsional movement with relation to the blocks by their tight fits within the blocks and principally by the described keying arrangements at both ends of the spindles. It will be understood that when such a reamer is in use, the spindle-carried cutter, in reaction to its engagement with the hole wall, tends to rotate the spindle; and this is true even where the cutters are freely rotative on the spindle. For instance the radial bearing pressures of the roller cutters here illustrated are quite large, and consequently the frictional tendency of the spindles to rotate with the cutters is correspondingly larger. Radial thrusts of the same order as those exerted by the rollers on the spindles are of course exerted by the spindles on the blocks; and if the spindles are allowed to move rotatively or torsionally to any substantial extent there will always be a corresponding Wear of the blocks. Under these conditions it is important that each spindle be anchored against rotation at each end or in each block; as otherwise, although the spindle may be so anchored at one end or in one block, its other end may tation might be substantially obliterated by 10- eating the transverse keys 26 and 26a at the inner rather than at the outer ends of the blocks, the arrangement here shown and described is at present preferred because it facilitates ease of removal of the pins, does not reduce the strength of the spindles at points where they need strength, and at the same time does reduce the possible torsional rotation of the spindles to a negligible amount.

In reducing the permitted relative rotation of the spindles, it will be noted that the preferred welding of the transverse keys also plays a part. By welding the keys so that each key has only one removable fit, the possible rotary movement of the spindle is reduced to the negligible minimum which may be allowed by that one fit.

In order to prevent end wear on the blocks B by end thrust of cutters C, removable and replaceable washers W are inserted between the ends of the cutters and the inner block-ends. These washers W have radially extending lugs 35 that fit closely and snugly in recesses 33 formed in the shouldered end wall 31 of the cutter receiving recesses l6. These shoulders 31 are present by reason of the fact that the cutterreceiving recesses 3 are larger than the block receiving recesses l5, aswill be readily understood from inspection of the drawings. The washers W, thus being made rotatively immovable with reference to the body and the blocks B,

take all of the rotary end thrust wear from the cutters C, and the blocksthe spindle holders or carriersare thus subject to no end thrust wear.

With the wear thus confined to the parts specified, and entirely removed from the relatively expensive cutter carriers or holders or the relatively expensive body, replacement of the wearing parts in the reamer is not only facilitated but also made relatively inexpensive. When the wearing parts require replacement, it is only necessary to force out the cutter-axis spindles, remove the cutters and washers and replace the spindles, washers and cutters with new ones.

In Figs. 8 to 11 a slightly modified structural form is shown which also embodiesthe invention and reaches all of the objects and accomplishments hereinbefore mentioned. In this form the body H1 is substantially of the same configuration as before described and needs no further description. The cutters C are of somewhat different configuration and proportions but need no particular description. The cutter spindles P are substantially the same as before described and have keys 26 and 26a at their upper and lower ends welded respectively to the spindles and to the blocks, as before described. And the end-thrust washers W are the same as before described.

In this form, however, the blocks B are cylindric in cross section, instead of polygonal as previously described; and they are welded into cylindric bores I511. in the body. And there is shown only one stop pin 3!! for each spindleP, this being at the upper end of the. spindle, the spindle being prevented from downward movement by the upper key 2E which is welded thereto and bottoms in the associated block-slot, or by the lower key in its engagement with the opposed end shoulder of the spindle, or by both upper and lower keys.

I claim:

1. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement with relation to each other and having alined bores, a cylindric cutter carrying spindle with end portions fitting the bores, and keys engaging the spindle and-the carriers to prevent spindle rotation in the carriers, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted to take the said key fits.

2. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement with relation to each other and having alined bores, a cylindric cutter carrying spindle with end portions fitting the bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation in the carriers, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and carrier being slotted to take the said key fits, and stop means mounted on the body at opposite ends of the spindle to hold it positively against endwise movement.

3. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement with relation to each other and having alined bores, a cylindric cutter carrying spindle with end portions fitting the bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation in the carriers, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting I a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted totake the said key fits, and stop means mounted on the body and adapted to engage one end of the spindle to hold it positively against endwise movement in one direction.

4. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinment with relation to each other and having alined bores, a cylindric cutter carrying spindle with end portions fitting the bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation in the carriers, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted to take the'said key fits, a roller cutter mounted on the spindle between the blocks, and end bearing washers on the spindle between the blocks and the cutter ends, the washers being locked to the body to prevent their rotation with the cutters.

5. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement with relation to each other and having alined bores, a cylindric cutter carrying spindle with end portions fitting the bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation in the carriers, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated With the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted to take the said key fits, a roller cutter mounted on the spindle between the carriers, end bearing washers on the spindle between the carriers and the cutter ends, the washers being locked to the body to prevent their rotation with the cutters, and stop pins mounted in the body at opposite ends of the spindle to hold it positively against endwise movement.

6. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement with relation to each other and having alined bores, acylindric cutter carrying spindle with end portions fitting the bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation in the carriers, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a. carrier being slotted to take the said key fits, a roller cutter mounted on the spindle between the carriers, end bearing washers on the spindle between the carriers and the cutter ends, the washers being locked to the body to prevent their rotation with the cutters, and a stop mounted in the body at one end of the spindle to hold it positively against endwise movement in one direction.

7. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement relative to each other and having alined bores, a cutter carrying spindle fitting both carrier bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation therein, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted to take the said key fits.

8. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement relative to each other and having alined bores, a

cutter carrying spindle fitting both carrier bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent rotation therein, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted to take the said key fits, and stop means mounted on the body and engaging opposite ends of the spindle to hold it positively against endwise movement.

9. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement relative to each other and having alined bores, a cutter carrying spindle fitting both carrier bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation therein, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted to take the said key fits, and stop means mounted on the body and adapted to engage the spindle to hold it positively against endwise movement in one direction.

10. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement relative to each other and having alined bores, a cutter carrying spindle fitting both carrier bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation therein, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and re- 'movably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted to take the said key fits, a roller cutter mounted on the spindle between the carriers, and end bearing washers on the spindle between the carriers and the cutter ends, the washers being locked to the body to prevent their rotation with the cutters.

11. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement relative to each other and having alined bores, a cutter carrying spindle fitting both carrier bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation therein, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the other carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted to take the said key fits, a roller cutter mounted on the spindle between the carriers, end bearing washers on the spindle between the carriers and the cutter ends, the washers being locked to the body to prevent their rotation with the cutters, and stop means mounted on the body and engaging opposite ends of the spindle to hold it against endwise movement.

12. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement relative to each other and having alined bores, a cutter carrying spindle fitting both carrier bores, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation therein, one of the keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting a carrier, the other key being integrated with the her carrier and removably fitting the spindle, the spindle and a carrier being slotted to take the said key fits, a roller cutter mounted on the spindle between the carriers and the cutter ends, the washers being locked to the body to prevent their rotation with the cutters, and stop means mounted on the body and adapted to engage one end of the spindle to hold it against endwise movement in one direction.

13. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of vertically spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement relative to each other, said carriers having alined cylindric bores, a vertically extending cylindric cutter carrying spindle fitting both carrier bores at upper and lower end portions of the spindle, keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation in the bores, the upper one of said keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting the upper carrier, the other key being integrated with the lower carrier and removably fitting into the lower end of the spindle, the lower end of the spindle and the upper carrier being slotted to take said key fits, said lower key being offset from the spindle center so as to leave a relatively large uninterrupted end surface on the spindle for spindle forcing operations, stop pins mounted in the body at the ends of the spindle to hold it against endwise movement, a roller cutter rotatively mounted on the spindle between the carriers, and end thrust washers on the spindle between the carriers and the cutter ends, the washers having projecting lugs engaging in the body to lock the washers against rotation with the cutter.

14. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of vertically spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement relative to each other, said carriers having alined cylindric bores, a vertically extending cylindric cutter carrying spindle fitting both carrier bores at upper and lower end portions of the spindle, and keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation in the bores, the upper one of said keys being integrated with the spindle and removably fitting the upper carrier, the other key being integral with the lower carrier and removably fitting into the lower end of the spindle, the lower end of the spindle and the upper carrier being slotted to take said key, fits, said lower key being offset from the spindle center so as to leave a relatively large uninterrupted end surface on the spindle for spindle forcing operations.

15. In a reaming tool, a body, a pair of vertically spaced spindle carriers on the body in fixed alinement relative to each other, said carriers having alined cylindric bores, a vertically extending cylindric cutter carrying spindle fitting both carrier bores at upper and lower end portions of the spindle, keys engaging the spindle and the carriers to prevent spindle rotation in the bores, the upper one of said keys being integrated with the spindle and r movably fitting the upper carrier, the other key being integrated with the lower carrier and removably fitting into the lower end of th spindle, the lower end of the spindle and the upper carrier being slotted to take said key fits, said lower key being offset from the spindle center so as to leave a relatively large uninterrupted end surface on the spindle for spindle forcing operations, a stop pin mounted in the body at one end of the spindle and adapted to hold it against endwise movement in one direction, a roller cutter rotatively mounted on the spindle between the carriers, and end thrust washers on the spindle between the carriers and the cutter ends, the washers having projecting lugs engaging in the body to lock the washers against rotation with the cutter.

JOHN GRANT. 

